A proud unapologetic Black trans woman speaking truth to power and discussing the world around her since 2006

Friday, April 24, 2015

The Jenner 20/20 Interview

My rule has been in these situations that if a person hasn't declared they are trans, I consider them cisgender until that declaration happens. Until Bruce has that press conference, rumors about a Jenner transition are just that, rumors.
TransGriot, February 2, 2015 ''Moni's Take On The Bruce Jenner Situation'

That's what I said two months ago about the developing media hype fest around Bruce Jenner.

Tonight that hype has been turbocharged by the start of yesterday's May ratings sweeps month and speculation fueled by Jenner's silence on the subject until the exclusive Diane Sawyer interview that will happen on ABC's 20/20 at 9 PM EDT.

I think much of the ambivalence I and a lot of the trans community is feeling right now is because of the way this situation has been handled.

While I and every other transperson is happy any time someone decided to come out and embrace their trans truth, it's just the level of hype and media overkill that has been injected into this one that has turned off some folks in the community

It also has many of us nervous, at a time when we have unprecedented attention to trans issues and right ling legislative attacks on us about how this interview will turn out.

But with that perceived negative has come some positives. We have had trans advocates in communities across the country get called by their local stations and networks (nope, my phone hasn't rung yet) for interviews and commentary about this and other subjects of importance to the community.

Now if it turns out the Jenner interview confirms what is being speculated and gets some positive reviews, Trans World will breathe a big sigh of relief.

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About The TransGriot

Monica Roberts, AKA the TransGriot (Gree-oh) is a native Houstonian, GLAAD award nominated blogger, writer, and award winning trans human rights advocate. She's the founding editor of TransGriot, and her writing has appeared at the Bilerico Project, Ebony.com, The Huffington Post and the Advocate.
She works to foster understanding and acceptance of trans people inside and outside communities of color and was recently honored with the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award

TransGriot Blog Mission Statement

The TransGriot blog's mission is to become the griot of our community. I will introduce you to and talk about your African descended trans brothers and trans sisters across the Diaspora, reclaim and document our chocolate flavored trans history, speak truth to power, comment on the things that impact our trans community from an Afrocentric perspective and enlighten you about the general things that go on around me and in the communities that I am a member of.

--Mission Statement compiled January 2, 2011

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